Vulnerability of Agriculture to Climate Shocks in Odisha, India

Abstract

This paper explores the vulnerability of agriculture to climate shocks in Odisha, India and also shows the loss of agricultural crops and productivity due to extreme climate events like droughts, floods and cyclones. Climate change and climate shocks affect different sectors, and livelihoods of population differently depending on the adaptive capacity. Using secondary data, the study analyses the agricultural vulnerability to the increasing climate shocks and present a historical picture of climate shocks that took place in the state of Odisha during last few decades. It is observed that climate shocks are increasing and it is affecting agriculture sector to a large extent leading to the vulnerability of agricultural dependent communities. Analyzing the vulnerability of agriculture to climate shocks, the study also explored the possibility to adapt the shocks and suggested some adaptation strategies to reduce the agricultural vulnerability.

Keywords: Climate Change, Vulnerability, Agriculture